Cool down your dog and take them to the vet.
Heat stroke can be dangerous for dogs just as it is for humans. As summer’s heat intensifies, it’s therefore important for dog owners to know not only how to treat heat stroke in their beloved pets but also how to prevent it in the first place.
What Is Heat Stroke in Dogs?
Heat stroke, also called hyperthermia, is elevated body temperature, just like hypothermia is a body temperature that is too low. In a dog, it’s considered unusually high when the dog’s body temperature is higher than 103°F and is heat stroke when the dog’s temperature reaches 106°F. At 107°F or higher, a dog’s organs can start to fail and the dog could die.
How Is Heat Stroke in Dogs Treated?
Heat stroke in a dog is a medical emergency. Therefore, it should be treated right away. The first step is to make sure that the dog is in a well-ventilated area. The second is to try to cool down the dog’s temperature with cool water (make sure it’s not cold water). You can either pour cool water over your dog or you can place cool wet cloths on your dog. If you choose he second option, make sure to change them often so they don’t start to trap heat in your dog’s body.
It’s important to keep an eye on your dog’s temperature. If it’s down to 103ºF (or if your dog seems to have recovered), then you should stop treating the hyperthermia. This is because if you keep going, you could end up causing hypothermia instead.
Take Your Dog to the Vet
Even if you think your dog has fully recovered from heat stroke, it’s essential to take your dog to the vet. Heat stroke can cause lasting damage if it goes on too long or if your pet got too hot, so it’s really important to get your dog checked out right away.
What Are the Signs of Heat Stroke in Dogs?
If your dog is suffering from heat stroke, they will show some of the following symptoms:
- Dry gums
- Sticky gums
- Gum bruising
- Abnormal coloring in the gums
- Disorientation
- Lethargy
- Elevated breathing
- Seizures
How Can Heat Stroke in Dogs Be Prevented?
To prevent heat stroke in dogs, pet owners should be sure that their dog always has access to water and aren’t left somewhere that is hot and doesn’t have a lot of ventilation. Exposure to heat for an extended period of time, especially with no ventilation or water, is dangerous. It’s important to keep an eye on your dog and if you must leave them alone, ensure they’ve got plenty of water and where they are isn’t hot and has good ventilation.
What Can Cause Heat Stroke in a Dog
A common cause of heat stroke in dogs is if their owners leave them in a car on a hot day with the windows up so there isn’t any ventilation. Another common cause of heat stroke is being left outside on a hot day with no shade or access to water. Other common causes include:
- Exposure to a hair dryer
- Excessive vigorous exercise
- Hot temperatures
- Poor ventilation
- Restricted airways (in certain breeds)
How Quickly Can Heat Stroke Occur in Dogs?
Dogs can start to overheat in only a few minutes. It’s important for dog owners to remember that their dogs don’t sweat to regulate their temperature like humans do because their sweat glands are many fewer in number and are located only on the bottoms of their feet. Instead, their primary way method of temperature regulation is via panting. They can therefore get a lot hotter a lot more quickly than a human might.
